Different Views of History—a Quick Synopsis

1. Cyclical-- It just keeps repeating itself – it’s not going anywhere – it’s not heading for a conclusion of any kind; or rather there are many conclusions and then it begins all over again. (Aztecs, Hindus, Buddhists – most eastern religions).
2. Random—there is no purposeful direction… all is just random forces moving along in no particular direction. There is no guiding force. (Modern existentialist, the atheist)
   
   A subset of this random theory is the--
   Evolutionary View --History, because of purely natural forces, is evolving. An optimistic evolutionist might say we’re getting better, improving—that we are always moving upward. A pessimistic evolutionist would say that it’s all just survival of the fittest and man will live on until something bigger and stronger evolves to take our place (or something smarter and stronger from another planet) This view is based on the theory of evolution – the belief that random forces can create improvements in animals, man, and also the world. Communism is a system of thought based on this idea of history.
3. Determinism--Free will is an illusion. All (that is every detail) is determined by God or a supreme power. There is no chance, but rather all is determined, frozen. (This was Albert Einstein’s view and some other classical scientists.) Einstein resisted the idea of quantum physics because it introduced a random and unpredictable quality into the nature of matter and the universe.
4. History is a story --Christians and Jews see history this way – A story of a creator-God who makes genuinely free creatures who can shape and affect history. He does accomplish his will but it is through working and shaping as we interact with Him in life. He is all powerful, but he gives us power too. The story has a beginning, a middle, and an end. And God is directing the whole thing, like a great author who is telling a tale of great suspense, with characters who can actually change stuff, but God is able to shape the outcome and bring about all that He has planned.
   
   That’s why we love books and movies so much. We love stories! Our creator loves stories, too, and he put us right in the middle of one.